Nick Mallett was last night assured that he would keep his job as Italy's coach despite his team's whitewash after their worst defeat in Rome since losing 56–13 to France four years ago.

Giancarlo Dondi, the president of the Italian union and not a man known for his patience, confirmed that the South African would continue to be in charge despite having presided over nine defeats in 10 Six Nations matches. "France are a great team," said Dondi. "But with this defeat we contributed to making them an even greater team. I apologise to our fans. Mallett, though, is not under discussion."

If this was the antipasta to the final Six Nations feast, Italy's supporters were left with a hollow feeling. Italy conceded 170 points and 21 tries in the championship with only Mirco Bergamasco and their captain Sergio Parisse scoring tries. "Obviously the results of this Six Nations cannot satisfy us," said Parisse, one of the few Italian players to enhance his reputation this year. "I believe, without trying to make up excuses, that we are taking longer than other teams to adapt to the experimental changes."

"It has been a poor Six Nations from us," admitted Mallett. "But we have been hindered by the new laws. Italy and Argentina's strength was in the maul. In last year's Six Nations we made six tries, three of which were merit of the maul and that is without counting the penalty goals that were due to the work of the pack, ruck and maul. We haven't had time to adapt efficiently to the new rules."

Mallett said he will be meeting Dondi this week. "I will meet with the president and we will try to create a situation to produce more quality players," he said. "The truth is that Italian rugby is in need of tremendous growth in order to be up to standard. My players have worked hard and have the capability to improve but it's hard to train a team that always faces a stronger rival. We are not yet able to play good rugby at a certain speed. It's quite clear that we need to improve our standard to perform in the Six Nations."

France were in vengeful mood after their capitulation at Twickenham, scoring seven tries in a one-sided match for their second successive third-placed finish in the Six Nations. Thierry Dusautoir, one of their outstanding players in the tournament, did not hide his frustration.

"It is annoying because it is another tournament that passes us by and I think we had the means to win it," said the Toulouse flanker. "We perhaps weren't consistent enough in our preparation and not psychologically there to win the tournament. We had the players and the ability to do it but we weren't consistent enough in the head."

Dusautoir said the setback at Twickenham could be a watershed. "I hope we don't forget that defeat," he added. "We have learnt a lot from that and must keep it in mind if we are going to grow."